Tech updates, small seats: 5 key takeaways from the Congressional hearing on Transportation Safety
shutdown, which was the result of a computer system error at the FAA. Many of the questions from the panel were focused on the agency’s technology and related needs as a result.
According to DOT officials, the issue was caused by a file being unintentionally deleted in the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system, which provides pilots with crucial safety information at all of the nation’s airports.
Experts say old tech could be responsible
“We all have the interest that systems be state of the art,” said Dave Boulter, the FAA’s acting associate administrator for aviation safety.
“The pace of technology, as we all know, has increased, but the pace of our processes has not,” he added. “My number one goal in the aviation safety organizations is to get that speed without ever degrading safety.”
5G technology by cell service providers, saying that the FAA and Federal Communications Commission should have worked more closely together to make sure their systems did not come into conflict.
“There should have been better collaboration between the FAA and FCC on this issue,” Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, testified.
Boulter, from the FAA, agreed and said that progress is being made, and both agencies are evaluating their processes for future projects.
“Since the power reductions (to 5G signals) have been agreed upon, we’re in a good space,” he said.
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3. Renewed attention on airplane seats
Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., took the FAA to task for not fulfilling a mandate in its previous authorization to study and establish minimum seat dimensions for passenger aircraft.
Plus-size flyers say airlines have room to improve
4. Cabin air quality monitoring
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., called out the agency for not making progress on monitoring aircraft cabin air quality. He said the FAA should be doing more to push airlines to install monitors onboard that would notify crews if potentially dangerous chemicals got into the air supply.
It’s not unheard of for toxins to get into airplane cabins, especially if one of the systems onboard malfunctions, because many planes are designed to use air that passes through the engines as part of their recirculation system.
Garamendi compared the lack of onboard air quality monitors to renting an apartment without a smoke or carbon monoxide detector.
It showed me when I was most likely exposed to COVID
5. FAA reauthorization process continues
Issues related to the FAA and its funding are likely to remain front and center in Washington this year as Congress prepares to approve legislation to keep the agency going for another five years later in the session.